Recent excavations in Warren County, Ohio, within the shadow of monumental Fort Ancient have brought to light a large prehistoric alignment of limestone flagstones forming an effigy of a serpent. Radiocarbon dates indicate that this effigy was constructed in 1200 A.D. presumably by local peoples archaeologically designated as being of the Anderson focus (or phase) of the Fort Ancient aspect. Strong evidence indicates that this large “artifact” may have seen use as an astronomical ground marker for determining the summer solstice and important dates related thereto. A set of general and site specific hypotheses is presented to support this contention and to briefly discuss its cultural setting.
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